For individuals experiencing pelvic pain, it could be a disorder of the pudendal nerve known as pudendal neuropathy or neuralgia that leads to chronic pain. The condition can be caused by pudendal nerve entrapment, where the nerve becomes compressed or damaged. Can knowing the symptoms help healthcare providers correctly diagnose the condition and develop an effective treatment plan? Pudendal Neuropathy The pudendal nerve is the main nerve that serves the perineum, which is the area between the anus and the genitalia - the scrotum in men and the vulva in women. The pudendal nerve runs through the gluteus muscles/buttocks and into the perineum. It carries sensory information from the external genitalia and the skin around the anus and perineum and transmits motor/movement signals to various pelvic muscles. ( Origoni, M. et al., 2014 ) Pudendal neuralgia, also referred to as pudendal neuropathy, is a disorder of the pudendal nerve that can lead to chronic pelvic pain. Causes Chronic pe
Recent posts
For individuals who have exhausted all other treatment options for low back pain and nerve root compression, can laser spine surgery help alleviate nerve compression and provide long-lasting pain relief? Laser Spine Surgery Laser spine surgery is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that uses a laser to cut through and remove spinal structures that are compressing nerves and causing intense pain. The minimally invasive procedure often results in less pain, tissue damage, and faster recovery than more extensive surgeries. How It Works Minimally invasive procedures result in less scarring and damage to surrounding structures, often reducing pain symptoms and a shorter recovery time. ( Stern, J. 2009 ) Small incisions are made to access spinal column structures. With open-back surgery, a large incision is made down the back to access the spine. The surgery differs from other surgeries in that a laser beam, rather than other surgical instruments, is used to cut structures in the spine
Individuals may discover a lump, bump, or nodule under the skin around their lower back, hips, and sacrum that can cause pain by compressing nerves and damaging the fascia. Can knowing the conditions linked to them and their symptoms help healthcare providers determine a correct diagnosis and develop an effective treatment plan for experiencing? Painful Bumps, Nodules Around Low Back, Hips, and Sacrum Painful masses in and around the hips, the sacrum, and the lower back are lumps of fat or lipomas, fibrous tissue, or other types of nodules that move when pressed on. Some healthcare providers and chiropractors, in particular, use the non-medical term back mice (In 1937, the term was used to describe lumps associated with episacroiliac lipoma) to describe the bumps. Some healthcare professionals argue against calling the masses mice because it is not specific and could lead to misdiagnoses or incorrect treatment. Most show up in the lower back and hip area. In some cases, they protrud
When sciatica or other radiating nerve pain presents, can learning to distinguish between nerve pain and different types of pain help individuals recognize when spinal nerve roots are irritated or compressed or more serious problems that require medical attention? Spinal Nerve Roots and Dermatomes Spinal conditions such as herniated discs and stenosis can lead to radiating pain that travels down one arm or leg. Other symptoms include weakness, numbness, and/or shooting or burning electrical sensations. The medical term for pinched nerve symptoms is radiculopathy. ( National Institutes of Health: National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. 2020 ) Dermatomes could be contributing to irritation at the spinal cord, where the nerve roots are causing symptoms in the back and limbs. Anatomy The spinal cord has 31 segments. Each segment has nerve roots on the right and left that supply motor and sensory functions to the limbs. The anterior and posterior communicating branches c
For individuals who suffer from migraine headaches, can incorporating physical therapy help decrease pain, improve mobility, and manage future attacks? Migraine Physical Therapy Cervicogenic migraine headaches can cause pain, limited motion, or confusing symptoms like dizziness or nausea. They may originate from the neck or cervical spine and be called cervicogenic headaches. A chiropractic physical therapy team can assess the spine and offer treatments that help improve mobility and decrease pain. Individuals may benefit from working with a migraine physical therapy team to perform treatments for specific conditions, quickly and safely relieving pain and returning to their previous level of activity. Cervical Spine Anatomy The neck is comprised of seven stacked cervical vertebrae. The cervical vertebrae protect the spinal cord and allow the neck to move through: Flexion Extension Rotation Side bending The upper cervical vertebrae help support the skull. There are joints on either si
General Disclaimer
The information herein is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified health care professional, licensed physician, and is not medical advice. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions based on your research and partnership with a qualified health care professional. Our information scope is limited to chiropractic, musculoskeletal, physical medicines, wellness, sensitive health issues, functional medicine articles, topics, and discussions. We provide and present clinical collaboration with specialists from a wide array of disciplines. Each specialist is governed by their professional scope of practice and their jurisdiction of licensure. We use functional health & wellness protocols to treat and support care for the injuries or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. Our videos, posts, topics, subjects, and insights cover clinical matters, issues, and topics that relate to and support, directly or indirectly, our clinical scope of practice.* Our office has made a reasonable attempt to provide supportive citations and has identified the relevant research study or studies supporting our posts. We provide copies of supporting research studies available to regulatory boards and the public upon request.
We understand that we cover matters that require an additional explanation of how it may assist in a particular care plan or treatment protocol; therefore, to further discuss the subject matter above, please feel free to contact us.
Dr. Alex Jimenez DC, MSACP, CCST, IFMCP*, CIFM*, ATN*
email: coach@elpasofunctionalmedicine.com
phone: 915-850-0900
Licensed in: Texas & New Mexico*
